THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that there was no discrimination against Kerala. Nothing has been withheld. Not only is there no arrears but it is paid a month in advance. There is no point in complaining still.

The Union Minister was inaugurating the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra to find beneficiaries of central schemes at Chempakamangalam near Mangalapuram.

Out of three and a half crore people in Kerala, 1.54 crore people are given free ration to the poor under the Garib Kalyan Package. Rice, which was initially given at Rs 3 per kg, was later made free. While the scheme was extended for five years from this year, the transport charges were also waived from the state's liability. There is no discrimination towards any state.

Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was flagged off at a function held at Chempakamangalam Rashaj Royale Auditorium. Viksit Sankalp oath was taken at the function. Assistance was distributed to the beneficiaries. The Prime Minister's interaction with Dharmarajan from Kozhikode was shown through video conference.

SBI Circle Chief General Manager Bhuvaneswari, NABARD Chief General Manager Gopakumaran Nair, ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra Senior Scientist Dr. Binu John Sam, Canara Bank Deputy General Manager Pradeep KS and others spoke.